AGC 10th Birthday at Elder Park in 1998
Young Adelaide Voices is a collection of 6 choirs representing various stages of choral education. From ages 5 through to 35, Young Adelaide Voices supports the musical growth and development of over 150 young singers.
History[]
“Adelaide Girls Choir” was established in 1988 with local Adelaide identity Keith Conlon as chairperson. Patrons of this fledgling choir were Keith Conlon, Julie Anthony, Peter Combe and Jane Doyle, and the two founding directors were Deborah Munro and Margaret Lange.
In its first year, the Choir developed a special artistic relationship with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with joint performances and the production of a CD (A Universal Christmas). Within a short time the Choir sang with many other Adelaide Choirs including a professional tour of the major South Australian Country centres under the auspices of the Country Arts SA.
The name ‘Young Adelaide Voices’ was launched in November 2004 by Her Excellency the Governor of South Australia, Mrs Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, to replace the former title ‘Adelaide Girls Choir’. Young Adelaide Voices now caters for the musical development of girls and boys between the ages of 5-35 years.
Interstate and international touring became a natural extension to the busy local schedule. News of the Choir’s excellence spread internationally with tours of the UK, Europe, North America and more recently China. Links with the Asian region were further strengthened when YAV hosted 'Forum 21' Children's Choir from Inchinomiya, Japan as part of the Australia/Japan Year of Exchange 2006.
Awards[]
Receiving 1st Prize summa cum laude at the 1996 European Youth Choral Festival was a turning point for the Choir. In effect, this gave the Choir an international music passport and an entrée to many international events & hosting opportunities.
In the same year, the Choir was presented with the Key to the City of Adelaide in recognition of their world class standard, international success, and outstanding contribution to the musical life of the City and State. The high standard of choral performance achieved by the Choir has led to the production of ten CDs including the recording OYE! in December 2008 and the stunning Songs of Sanctuary by Karl Jenkins, which is still receiving significant national airplay on ABC Classic FM. Most recently YAV produced We Are As One which features music from their award winning USA tour in 2012 where YAV won First Prize in all the Youth Choir sections in the 9th International Golden Gate Youth Choir Festival in San Francisco and a Silver medal in the World Choir Games in Cincinnati.